Reservation-based tech firm reaches 300 employees

UMATILLA INDIAN RESERVATION -- Cayuse Technologies has reached an employment milestone, growing to 300 workers in the five years since it opened, operators announced late last week.

The information technology outfit owned by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation has bucked the national economic slump and forecasts continued growth on the horizon, officials said. Another 100 positions are expected to be filled in 2012.

The company operates through an agreement between the Tribes and global management consulting firm Accenture. The relationship provides Cayuse Technologies with management assistance. In turn, Accenture gets access to staffing that provides its customers with business services in numerous areas of expertise: software and application development, customer contact center services, technical help desk services, administrative and executive support services. The common goal is to provide economic growth and employment for Tribal members and residents of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and surrounding areas.

The 300-employee mark is a significant achievement, said senior human resources manager Valerie Fouquette in a prepared statement. "This is an exciting milestone for Cayuse Technologies' management and staff who have worked so hard to build our knowledge, skills and abilities," she said. "We are thankful to the (Tribes) and Accenture leadership for making this vision a reality and for their continued support. It is also a tribute to our staff that our clients continue to send work our way, allowing us to grow even in this difficult economy."

In addition to employees at the headquarters near Pendleton, Cayuse Technologies employs workers in North Dakota, California, Washington and Washington, D.C.

Vicki Hillhouse can be reached at vickihillhouse@wwub.com or 526-8321.